Souls Of Damnation Review

Released: Jun 30, 2009Genre: Death Metal / MetalLabel: Earache RecordsNumber Of Tracks: 9
Blood Red Throne has proven themselves a death metal force to be reckoned with, and on Souls Of Damnation, the band have offered us one of the best death metal releases of 2009.

Souls Of DamnationFeatured review by: UG Team, on july 16, 2009 1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Sound: Nordic Death metallers Blood Red Throne have really made a name for themselves, and with their 2009 Earache Records release, Souls Of Damnation, the band is back and at their strongest. These guys have been around for over a decade, and have plenty of credibility under their belts. Blood Red Throne has crafted some damn good skull crushing death metal on Souls Of Damnation, and they are still mixing that old school death metal influence with modern brutality, and that's a okay with me. This time around, Blood Red Throne really shows a great sense of melody, and throw it in at necessary moments. Make sure you take note of Blood Red Throne bassist, Erlend Caspersen. He plays fast, technical, and has some great bass lines that add to the integrity of the sound. And I love how much the bass sticks out on Souls Of Damnation, because it really helps make the release even deeper, thicker, and heavier. Blood Red Throne opens up this slaughter-house of a release with The Light, The Hate, attacking with that classic and gore drenched death metal approach. Though the band isn't breaking any technical boundaries, technicality is still present, and their formula continues to be solid, consistent, and a treat to the metal underground. Not Turgenjev, But Close shows the band breaking out a little bit more, and Blood Red Throne really lets out the beast on this one. The intro itself shows some pretty unique death metal, while still making it as straightforward and skull crushing as possible. The hailstorm double bass and the bludgeoning riffs strike together, and show a new kind of strength to Blood Red Throne. Then moving into some traditional death metal riffs with some groove, you've just got to be proud by their decision to stay loyal to the metal underground. They have none of those modern breakdowns, none of those poppy choruses, none of those chugga chugga choo choos, but just that classic feel as a band and their musical direction. You can't deny the roots. // 8

Lyrics: The singing is as loud, monstrous, and commanding as the music itself, and really gives Blood Red Throne that extra boost. Vocalist Vald sure lets it all out, and gets straight to the point with what he's saying. And Vald can sure hold a scream, whether he's going for the deep guttural growls, or letting out some terrifying rasps. Vald for sure proves himself as a solid death metal vocalist, and brings the hell to be unleashed upon the masses. Lyrically, the violent tendencies within mix with the current state of the world, and classic death metal fans will eat it all up. Newcomers, check it out, for this is the kind of style you must be exposed to. // 8

Overall Impression: Souls Of Damnation on first impression hooked me right away, and the band's musical direction is undeniable. While sticking true to the metal underground, the respect of Blood Red Throne has without a doubt raised. To hear them come back with such an explosive return as Souls Of Damnation is rewarding. Though there are some near exact Morbid Angel riffs in the CD (Where The Slime Lives = Human Fraud), the band still pounds away with no remorse. I mean, who doesn't like Morbid Angel? Also, the CD takes a lot of influence from Deicide, Suffocation, and Cannibal Corpse as well. Good bands to take influence from, and soon I believe Blood Red Throne will also be one of those big dog death metal bands that many may take influence on. Souls Of Damnation is one of the top death metal albums of the year so far. And ultimately, Souls Of Damnation gives more proof that true death metal is still around in this modern age. // 8